Driving Miss Daisy starring Angela Lansbury and James Earl Jones to premiere in Australia in February

[Will42]

BRISBANE will host the Australian premiere of Driving Miss Daisy starring Hollywood royalty Angela Lansbury and James Earl Jones.

The Courier-Mail can exclusively reveal producer John Frost is bringing the multi-award-winning pair to Brisbane in February for a limited season of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play that was turned into an Academy Award-winning film.

"I wanted to do something up in Brisbane and make it really special," Mr Frost said. "When this opportunity came along, it was a natural fit."

Mr Frost began pursuing the piece for an Australian season when it opened on Broadway in 2010.

He was able to secure Earl Jones, who played the role of Hoke in the Broadway and West End seasons but Vanessa Redgrave, who played Daisy opposite him, wasn't available.

Instead he turned to acclaimed actress Angela Lansbury who was starring opposite Earl Jones in The Best Man on Broadway.

Frost said both stars were excited to be coming to Brisbane.

Events Queensland helped lure the production to Brisbane with a modest investment and chief executive John O'Sullivan said it was a great coup for the city.

"To get this premiere season of Driving Miss Daisy is a great move for our cultural tourism," he said.

"These are two superstars in every definition of the word and this is a testament to the fact that the city is recognised nationally and internationally as a cultural event city in its own right."

Ms Lansbury has never played Miss Daisy before so fans from around the world will need to travel to Brisbane for the opportunity to see her tackle the iconic role.

The piece will be presented in the intimate Playhouse Theatre at QPAC giving the audience a very upclose experience with the stars.

The season begins on February 5.

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/daisy-driven-to-brisbane-for-february-grand-premiere/story-e6freoof-1226439752752

[Will42]

This is all great of course, and I'm happy for Australian theatregoers, but it's such a shame it won't play in NYC, London or I don't know Paris for just little bit.
I also hope Ms. Lansbury will still be able to do that Wes Anderson movie starring Johnny Depp.

[Jordan Catalano]

I'd hate to think that there are bootleggers in Australia, and if there are I CERTAINLY don't want you to PM me.

[emo_geek]

You have no idea what kind of sick and shocking things I would do to be able to attend this.

[qolbinau]

Wow John Frost is a very talented producer. First Geoffrey Rush in FUNNY THING and now Angela Lansbury in DAISY? Great!

It is a surprising city to start in, though.

[Ejm105989]

I want.

[JeanGudio]

I live in Brisbane but is this a joke I am not in on ???
If not hurry where are tix I have some shows to book yes shows

[Will42]

Ms. Lansbury and Mr. Jones talking about their upcoming tour: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B03M9hvKAZQ
Interesting that Lansbury got top billing, while Redgrave was billed after Jones.

[rosscoe(au)]

Best News Ever

[mamaleh]

Great performers both--loved Jones's Hoke on B'way. But does this mean that Barbra Streisand can now play Margaret Thatcher? Fair is fair.

[alterego]

And what of the Melbourne season? I think this means the Australian Premiere of this tour as Driving Miss Daisy has been seen in Australia previously as recently as last year.

[ClapYo'Hands]

And why did THIS not come to London!?

[Will42]

I know, right? Ms. Lansbury would travel to Australia, but they can�t find a suitable show for her on West End.

[Will42]

4-time Tony Awards winner Boyd Gaines officially joins the show.

[grumpyoptimist]

I thought Boyd Gaines outperformed James Earl Jones in the Broadway production (second only to Redgrave, who I woulda swore was from the South). This will be AMAZING.

[nasty_khakis]

While I CERTAINLY think Lansbury, Jones, and Redgrave are true stars with a "name," Lansbury's name probably has the most recognition (11 years on a wildly successful tv series) and theatre clout (she has 5 Tonys). That's not to call Jones or Redgrave hacks or aren't gods in the theatre themselves, because of course they are legends. Just saying Lansbury's top billing makes some sense. Plus Jones seems like a good, honest, and "happy to just be workin'" kind of guy so I'm sure he doesn't care either way.

I guess next year is as good a time as any to visit Australia.

[alterego]

There has been talk of Lansbury coming to Australia for the last 35 years. Intially Producers were looking for a musical for her... time has caught up with her and a two hander is what we get now. I only wish I'd have been able to see her 30 years ago in a musical here in Melbourne . Still, better late than never.

[Will42]

Well, good for Aussies that Ms. Lansbury finally honored Australia with her visit.
I just wished that your country wasn't so damn far from the rest of the civilized world (no offence) so I could see the play, koalas, platypus, Angela Lansbury live.
It's also great shame that she had to withdraw from the first interesting film project in decades because of the play.

[emo_geek]

I looked at how much it would cost me to see this- wish I hadn't.

Is there even a whisper that this might come to the states?

[beaemma]

As another die-hard fan who can't begin to afford a trip to Australia, let alone survive that long flight without exiting via wheelchair, I also would like to see this production travel to these shores. DAISY just played New York, so that's probably out. How about a limited tour of a small number of major cities--preferably at least one I could drive to?

[winston89]

I would want this production with this cast to play on Broadway as much as anyone else. However, isn't this the same production of the play that was just on Broadway at the Golden, then transfered to the West End? I believe the only difference in casting is that it's Lansbury rather then Redgrave.

[bdn223]

Yes it is. Miss Redgrave was not able to do the Austalian tour, so the producers brought in Ms. Lansbury. Rumor has it Miss Redgrave also did not initially want to take the show to the West End, which was when Miss Lansbury was first approached.

[Will42]

Oh, how I wish Vanessa Redgrave said "no" then rather than now.

[cviolett]

All I know is that the cruise ship I'll be working on in February of next year ports in Australia and if I have a single night available and am remotely close to Brisbane I will do whatever it takes for me to see this. I think it's going to be phenomenal.

[Will42]

In addition to Brisbane the play is also gonna be performed in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide.

Producer John Frost has now announced that due to an unprecedented demand for tickets, following the Brisbane premiere season of Alfred Uhry�s Pulitzer Prize-winning classic play Driving Miss Daisy, the production will tour to Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide.

Driving Miss Daisy stars two of the world�s greatest living actors� five-time Tony Award� and three-time Academy Award� nominee Angela Lansbury and two-time Tony Award� winner and Academy Award� winner James Earl Jones, alongside four time Tony Award� winner Boyd Gaines.

Previously the production had been announced for an exclusive Brisbane season.

A timeless American play, which inspired the beloved Academy Award�-winning film, Driving Miss Daisy tells the affecting story of the decades-long relationship between an elderly Southern Jewish woman, Daisy Werthan, and her compassionate African-American chauffeur, Hoke Colburn. Their iconic tale of pride, changing times and the transformative power of friendship has warmed the hearts of millions worldwide.Driving Miss Daisy has recently played sell-out seasons on Broadway and in the West End, directed by David Esbjornson and featuring James Earl Jones. Angela Lansbury and James Earl Jones have most recently been performing together in the Broadway production of Gore Vidal�s The Best Man.

�The Brisbane premiere season is almost sold out, so we have persuaded Angela and James to bring Driving Miss Daisy to Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide,� said John Frost. �This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for Australian audiences to see three of the finest actors in the world today, Broadway and Hollywood royalty, in one of the most enduring and popular stage plays of our time. Rarely in our lifetime do we get to see such experience, such talent, on an Australian stage. As the New York and London reviews have said; race, don�t walk to get a ticket, as Driving Miss Daisy is unmissable!�

Tour Dates

Playhouse, QPAC, Brisbane

From Tuesday 5 February 2013

Performance Times: Tues 7pm, Wed�Sat 7.30pm, Matinees Wed 1pm, Sat 2pm & Sun 3pm

Price: From $89.90*

Bookings: qpac.com.au or phone 136246

Theatre Royal, Sydney

From Friday 1 March 2013

Wed�Sat 7.30pm, Matinees Tues & Wed 1pm, Sat 2pm & Sun 3pm

Price: From $89.90*

Bookings: Ticketmaster.com.au or phone [phone]

Comedy Theatre, Melbourne

From Friday 5 April 2013

Performance Times: Wed�Sat 7.30pm, Matinees Tues & Wed 1pm, Sat 2pm & Sun 3pm

Price: From $89.90*

Bookings: Ticketmaster.com.au or phone [phone]

Her Majesty�s Theatre, Adelaide

From Friday 17 May 2013

Performance Times: Wed�Sat 7.30pm, Matinees Tues & Wed 1.30pm, Sat 2pm & Sun 3pm

Price: From $89.90*

http://www.stagewhispers.com.au/news/angela-lansbury-and-james-earl-jones-tour-driving-miss-daisy

[Dollypop]

Is it official that Boyd's joined the cast? I had lunch with him last week and he told me he was only "in talks" to do it.